Call of the Raven

by Shawn Reilly

  Asher’s eyes widened and then narrowed again. Ari wondered if things were finally making sense to him now. Asher had the tendency to be a little dense when it came to relationship matters. Behind him, Nixon grabbed a stack of clothes he had selected and laid on the dresser top and headed for the bathroom to change. When the door slammed shut it must have broken Asher out of his thoughts because suddenly he looked down at the jacket and shirt in his hands in confusion.

  “Pants Ari,” he said.

  Figuring he needed to be alone to digest the blow, Ari started to back out the door. However, the second Asher looked up Ari hung back because he knew Asher wanted him to.

  “I won’t pretend to understand about Kennedy,” he said, “if what you say is true. I do know this in regard to Elle though. I’m shaken by the matter, hence my behavior in all of this. But the truth is…I believed that woman in my drawing to be a grown up version of Grant’s child—my future mate. I believed that image I had, the one in the drawing, the one in my dreams was Mary. There never was any Elle.”

  “What?” Ari stepped back into the room, closer to Asher. “You have got to be joking? What possible basis did you have to believe such stupidity?”

  Asher looked toward the bathroom door and then back to him. “Please keep your voice down. No need to humiliate me further. I’ve known about Mary’s birth a long time. I’m a wolf how could I not. I put Robert in charge of taking care of her and her mother.”

  “Well obviously he hasn’t done a good job in that. The kid was living in poverty and the mother’s a deserting drunk. My God Asher,” Ari rubbed his hand through his hair. He took the last drink of whiskey and forced himself to calm down.

  For the first time in his life, Asher seemed genuinely ashamed. He just stood there biting the corner of his lip as Nixon reappeared fully dressed with the rejected clothes he didn’t want in his hands.

  “It’s okay guys I heard just like I do every other time you two have your little bro-talks. I’ll pretend like I didn’t hear though, same as always, so never mind me as I put these clothes away.”

  Asher’s head lowered. “I don’t care that you know. I would have eventually explained.” With that comment Nixon directed a questioning stare his way. “I just didn’t want any of your smart remarks at this precise time,” Asher told him. “I feel stupid enough.”

  “I just don’t get it,” Nixon said. “So she’s not the right babe. I kind of mean that literally and rhetorically too since Mary and Elle both are in essence babes, just two entirely different kinds.” At that Asher threw up his arms in full protest. The clothes fell to the floor and his raised hands planted firmly on his head on the way back down.

  Nixon shrugged, “But honestly Ash, what’s so hard to understand. Ari’s right, now that I’ve thought about it, and I think you should listen to him. Facts are facts,” he said.

  Asher set two very interested eyes on Nixon. He invited him to finish in look alone.

  “I’ve spent the least amount of time with her but from what I’ve learned and from what Ari has told me,” Nixon went on. “I can see it. She was there at the right time—the very minute we swooped in to save the day. She can see you’re blue magic. She accepts us. I’m around you every day and I still get afraid of your fire-darts, and she didn’t even blink. She’s not frightened of you in the least…well except for when you yelled at her. I get the impression she doesn’t like being yelled at. She’s just as beautiful as in your drawings and Ari said she told him she dreamed that such a world as ours existed. Asher,” Nixon walked to where he stood, “she read your books man—all of them. Don’t you see the irony in that?”

  “It?” Asher appeared dazed. “Just what it, do you see?”

  “That whatever it may be, she’s supposed to be with us,” Nixon boldly stated.

  “Look,” Asher lowered his hands and looked back and forth between the two of them. Ari thought his face looked a little flushed. “I know I’ve behaved differently and I admit at first I pretty much felt the same. I recognized her right away and not even finding out she wasn’t Mary’s mother who I figured Mary would grow up to look like, could have stopped me from wanting to cart her away from that abusive boyfriend, but when it comes to me—her possibilities to me, that has changed. Mary’s on the other hand has not changed. I’m a Keeper and I need an heir and you two both know that’s the only reason a female wolf is born. They’re born to provide an heir when one hasn’t been provided or the Keeper hasn’t taken a wife to produce one.”

  Ari had taken the time to pour himself another drink and stood sipping on straight whiskey as the conversation unfolded, content to let Nixon handle things but he could see out of the corner of his eye that they had both turned to look his way. Apparently they wanted his opinion now. Ari wasn’t so sure either of them was going to like what he had to say though.

  “Fine you wait for Mary.” He gestured to Asher with the empty glass. “You wait till she’s old enough to marry someday—go ahead and produce that heir. More than likely that’s the safer approach anyhow given the alternative is taking a wife which you absolutely refuse to take without love, and falling in love for you means death. I don’t want you to die. I will never want you to die, but I can’t see how you could just waltz through life without knowing at least how love feels.”

  “Yeah, well speaking of that, I meant what I said about being sorry for keeping Mary a secret and missing you guys.” Asher was struggling with words and emotions and he wasn’t trying to hide the fact that he was exposed. “But I also came because I talked to Grant. He told me it was time for my destiny to unfold, so I came looking for her—the woman in my drawings.”

  Ari rubbed his thumb over his eyebrow. “You…talked to Grant…after all this time.”

  “Yes,” Asher nodded, “he told me that the only reason he hasn’t been able to get in touch with me before is because I wasn’t in tuned with my wolf nature, and my magic was too strong.” He studied him, and then inclined his head. “I understand Ari if you don’t believe me about Grant, because you never have, but this is about Elle now. I will admit that after a year of dreaming about her I slowly began to accept the fact she was my destiny. And even though I thought I had more time, since I thought she was a little girl that needed to grow up, discovering Elle today made me feel relieved. I suddenly didn’t want to wait any longer.”

  “So what’s the problem?” Ari curiously asked.

  “Ari regardless of what I thought Elle meant to me and the perverted customs of our world, I will only take one woman, and Elle can’t be that woman because she doesn’t qualify.”

  Ari pointed out the door. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “How in God’s sweet name could that woman not qualify? Have you taken a good look at her?” Ari put up his hands when Asher opened his mouth to speak. Ari didn’t want him to explain just yet.

  “Look, all I know is I’ve dated many women and their fancy designer clothes, fake boobs and strong perfume, don’t even come close to what she has. That woman soaking in my tub has a heart of gold. That boyfriend of hers should be shot because he had no clue what he had. But if you want to reject her because of stupid standards or some misguided belief then go right ahead because that means she’s suddenly free and available. And I’m quite positive any man could easily fall for her if that’s not happened already to at least one of us in this room.”

  He put his back to the door and discounted his brothers penetrating eyes. “But what it all boils down to,” he went on, “there’s a very young fragile women in my room who’s not lived the best of lives. She’s been beaten and taken advantage of, so screw everything else. I’m not about to let her undeserving gangster boyfriend find her again so he can put another bite mark on her neck.”

  At that Asher’s eyes glowed red. Ari had no choice but to continue on—prove his point. “I’m gonna go get your pants so you can get dressed but maybe you should reflect on my words. Maybe Mary was born for the purpose you believe but maybe just
maybe, Elle has her own purpose, no matter how frightening that may be, not just to you but to all of us.” Ari met Asher’s gaze as he neared—watching as the red faded back to blue. “All I’m saying is, maybe you ought to not judge too quickly and give her some time before you send her packing.”

  “She has nothing to pack,” Nixon interjected.

  Asher overlooked the comment. “I wasn’t planning on sending her anywhere. I agree with everything you’ve said so far and I was trying to tell you that. I don’t know how to be anything but what I am. I don’t know how to say things but just hear me out while I try. How I feel about her has nothing to do with any outsider paranoia on my part or some major grand disillusionment either. I wanted to find another way to go about this but I don’t have any other choice. You have given me no other choice. I have to tell the truth. Just like everything else in my life—every choice that was made before I was born, this has nothing to do with me anymore, but not as a man but as a Keeper. The rules were written long before and I’m obligated to uphold those rules or suffer the consequences. I’ve already done that in the past. I don’t want to go through that ever again. When I chose to ignore the laws of the archives and the Council, it’s not always me that pays the price.”

  “Asher just say it man,” Nixon urged when he stopped talking.

  Asher lowered his head as the sound of a blow dryer could be heard in the other room. “I can be such a fool sometimes with my big words and over explaining things but the only thing I needed to say is two simple words to make you understand, so here you are. She’s pregnant.”

  The words hit Ari hard. At that precise moment all he could see was her doubling over, clutching at her stomach before she passed out in the alley. “How do you know that?”

  Asher lifted up his right arm so he could see. Ari noticed several long scratches on his forearm along with one very impressive bruise. “I found out in the abandoned building right after I made the decision to take her away with me. She likes to fight and talk in her sleep. Now if you don’t mind I would like to get dressed now.”

  Ari put a hand to his shoulder. “Life seems so confusing and unfair doesn’t it?”

  Pulling away Asher gathered up the items of clothing on the floor and headed for the bathroom. That was enough of an answer for Ari and everything he already knew. Stopping before the door, Asher turned back and looked at Nixon.

  “While Ari’s showering, since you seem to be so perceptive, I thought maybe you could give me some pointers. I would like to have a conversation with Elle in a more civil manner.”

  Nixon nodded. His hanging mouth and blinking eyes were evident enough that Asher had taken him by complete surprise. Ari knew exactly how he felt.

  Asher sighed, debating his next words, but then looking up he seemed determined to speak them. “I do have one idea. She needs a home and we need a nanny, someone to look after the children. She already has a relationship with Mary and she reads to kids at the library, so that means she must like working with them.”

  “That sounds all well and good,” Ari moved closer to him, “but you just mentioned the laws of which you have to uphold and she’s not a Lake.”

  “But she could be, I have that right to give her the Lake name.”

  Ari searched Asher’s face and he could tell that he wasn’t meaning to be contradicting. He knew Asher had no plans to take her as his wife, but even then the alternative wasn’t an option. Ari didn’t want him to see it as an option. “In other words you’re going to ask her to sign a contract…with you.”

  “Dude, I think that’s an awesome idea. I’m for it,” Nixon announced. The intensity in which he delivered the words not only surprised Ari, they took Asher just as equally off guard.

  “But I’m not,” Ari said. “I think knowing what she’s been through with her jerky boyfriend that’s a little unfair to her. You can’t ask her to do that Asher.”

  “What if I merely give her the choice and let her decide,” Asher uttered, not looking at him. “In the meantime she could come home with us and I can’t see how that would bother you in the least.”

  “You do what you want. You ask her to sign your contract but leave me out of it.” Ari slammed his glass down on the bar and since Elle was still in the bathroom he went to his room to grab clothes.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Misconceptions

  The furnishings were dark and expensive looking black lacquer stuff. The bed was covered in black silk sheets and matching feather comforter. The room smelled of Ari’s strong cologne. She wondered just how many women had sat in her place on his bed, and soaked in the huge sunken tub.

  Through the walls she had heard them arguing. Several times in the last hour Elle had thought about leaving and saving herself a bunch of awkward embarrassment, but she sat in a robe with nothing underneath. Her clothes along with her shoes had disappeared, and out the window she could see fresh snowflakes falling.

  If she could just get through the night, she would leave then. She would go and put distance between her and the Lakes. Then they wouldn’t have to talk about her in the next room. Then they wouldn’t have to worry about what they planned to do with her. Starling at the sound of a knock, Elle saw it was the orange haired girl, Kennedy standing in the door that led out to the hall. Elle knew her room was just across the way but she knew she didn’t want her in there either.

  “Ostentatious isn’t it, the room?” She tossed a stack of clothes on the bed. “He’s such a man-slut.”

  “I got that feeling,” Elle said. The girl didn’t look at her. She just crossed to the closet, opened the door to reveal a row of dark suits and dress shirts, and took a brush and mirror from a dresser top inside. When she dropped the items on the bed, Elle noticed the long blonde strands clinging to the hair brush. “And I guess that confirms it,” she laughed.

  Kennedy ignored her. “Well when you’re dressed come relieve me,” she said. “Oh and I ordered a pizza, but if you don’t get over there quick that kids gonna scarf everything up.”

  “Thanks for the clothes. I’ll get them back to you.”

  “No need,” Kennedy wrinkled her nose. “I have plenty and those are some I keep here for spares. I haven’t been here in over a year. They’re outdated.”

  “Well, thanks anyway.” Elle noticed her slow down on her way to the door, but she didn’t stop. Since arriving, Kennedy had done nothing that articulated a welcome.

  Taking the clothes to the bathroom, Elle discarded the robe. She pulled on new undergarments that still sported shocking price tags. The rest of the clothes were the same, new, expensive and fit the style of a teenage girl. The jeans were low rise, snug and showed off her curves. The shirt was light blue and low cut. Elle had always downplayed her assets for fear Julio would think she was trying to attract men. Now she feared what the Lake’s would think.

  At least along with everything else, Kennedy had included an over jacket, a sporty looking white denim coat with a zippered front and hood. She sat that aside. The bathroom was steamed up from the hot bath and blow dryer, and her cheeks were a little flushed from the heat.

  After a quick brush through her hair, Elle cleaned the bathroom, grabbed the jacket and stepped out. She had her right arm halfway in the sleeve when she noticed movement. She froze in mid-step and stumbled into the leather wing chair. The first thing that flashed in her head again was Julio, but this time it wasn’t him or even Ari. He didn’t have the same effect on her as his brother did. Asher had the power to turn her into a bumbling idiot.

  He sat on the edge of Ari’s bed. His hair was shiny and damp and slicked back from his face. He was clean shaven and wearing different clothes—a pale blue tee-shirt that looked a little snug and faded jeans. He was barefoot just as she was. His bright blue hypnotic eyes moved slowly upward. She was wearing Kennedy’s clothes, her hair and body was washed so she didn’t stink. She could only hope he saw an improvement.

  “I’m sorry if I scared you. I guess there was no gett
ing around that,” he said.

  “You could have given me a head’s up.” She pulled the jacket the rest of the way on, and quickly started working on the zipper. The big v area in the front of the shirt made her uncomfortable and exposed far too much of Julio’s handiwork.

  “Yes,” he dropped his eyes, “I should have thought of that.”

  “Ari’s not here. I thought he was with you?”

  “He was, now he’s not. I needed to talk to you…alone.” He pursed his lips in thought.

  She waited for him to resume, but he just sat with an unreadable sort of glazed look, playing with a loose thread on the knee of his jeans. “Look I can see that you’re struggling, so I’ll speed things along,” she said. “I know I’m here because of Ari. I heard you two arguing. I appreciate all of this, but I don’t want to be a problem for anyone. But in my defense I’m not who you think I am. ”

  “No you’re not,” he quickly responded which only fueled Elle’s frustrations. When he unexpectedly looked up and she saw that a grin was playing on his perfect lips, she forgot what she was about to say. “You’ve been kind Elle to accept my family and me the way that you have--well apart from the occasional remark. Others don’t always prove to be so generous especially to me when they get a good look at me. I finally get the comment about the Bonnie Tyler song. Nixon was kind enough to sing it, repeatedly, while I showered, particularly the turnaround bright eyes part.”

  Elle was confused. “You mean I’ve been kind to you because I didn’t freak out about your eyes?”

  Asher nodded. “I usually hide them. The truth is I may not be able to control my eyes, but I can control my temper. I just choose not to. I would like to have the opportunity to at least try. I have a proposition for you Elle, and if you’ll join us for dinner, I’ll explain.”